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On the first anniversary of his historic visit to the UK, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his appreciation "to all those who contributed to the happy outcome of his Visit."

In a message, sent by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy Father renewed his call for Catholics to bear joyful witness to the Gospel and offered special words of encouragement to seminarians - the future priests of the Church. He asked them to keep their eyes fixed on Christ and to devote themselves wholeheartedly to their "intellectual and spiritual formation, and to be steadfast heralds of the new evangelization."

A Mass of Thanksgiving for the Apostolic Visit to the UK takes place at Westminster Cathedral on 18 September 2011.